A Lapland Winter: The Best Way to Experience Saariselkä's Snowy Beauty | Travelogue
Wow it has been a while since I continue with my Finland travel post. Before the memories fade, let's get back on it for my readers' sake. Please note on the small tips I left throughout the post. Some during the trip and others, from my colleague who travels more European countries than me. And ICYMI, here are the previous posts leading up to this post:
Leaving Kirkenes early in the morning after breakfast, with a send-off by the heavy snow. Thank you Norway for the snowing and not just snow right in front of me in Finland. Journey back to Finland around 3 hours plus. Managed a few shots at the border between the two countries with thick snow almost my waist level on the side of the road. Long story cut short, we checked in to our stay at Holiday Club Saariselkä. The tour manager said lots of Britons stayed here and indeed, the only Asians were from our group. Be prepared for noisy foot steps along the corridor because of the kids running around in this hotel. I always thought that people from 4 seasons countries will go somewhere tropical during winter time and vice versa for us. But I was wrong. They probably wanna have a ski holiday with the family. And we wanna experience the cold and snow.
Our spacious room at the ground level
After our dinner, the next activity for the night will be hunting Northern lights. We have experienced ATV before but this was our first riding on snow mobile. It was the same as ATV rides but on snow instead of normal road conditions. Changed into our jump suits again (which is an usual thing during winter time), briefing on how to use and off we go. Before we set off, we saw Northern Lights for a good 2 minutes at least. Damn my stupid phone camera. Please always remember to switch your phone to Night mode and no flash please if you want to capture the phenomenon. I actually video it down though in the darkness to capture it more clearly. And also in my opinion, Finland is really a good place for star gazing because there isn't much light pollution.
At the hunting spot
Star Gazing. Not possible in Singapore.
Breakfast before another fun snowy day
Here at Husky Dog Farm
The next morning after a hearty breakfast, headed to the Husky Dog Farm for a thrilling Husky ride. Put on our jump suits again and joined a short briefing on how to control the sledge and what to take note off during the ride. Then off we go to meet the huskies. They were so noisy while waiting to run on the snow. Each sledge has about 4-6 huskies to pull 2 adults, one seated which is me, and one standing and controlling the sledge which was the husband. While you are on the sledge, you can feel the pulling force from the eager huskies in front, even before the staff releases them. While on wait, they poop right in front of us and even ate them up too! The staff has to stop them and cover their poops in the snow. So beware of what you are stepping on the snow there. Hahaha...
View from the sledge with all the huskies in front
Waiting in line to run
You can pat the huskies too
Each husky has their own name
Rustic Houses
Watch my video on this thrilling ride! Definitely worth the time.
After a morning of fun with huskies, the tour manager brought us to see the Kelo Glass Igloo which we would be staying for a night. Because during winter in Finland, daylight hours are very short, about 6-7 hours so best to beat the darkness by taking photos while is bright. The Kelo Glass Igloo looked good both day and night actually so depending on how you look at it. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is a family hotel in Lapland, Finland that was established in 1974. Just a 30 minutes drive from Ivalo Airport, get ready to experience the Northern Lights without stepping out of your room.
A look at our Kelo Glass Igloo stay for the night
That thick amount of snow
The front of the Kelo Glass Igloo
Our Kelo was all the way to the end so imagine dragging that luggage on the snow. I scared for the luggage wheels. Don't die on us please. But didn't expect behind the trees was where the Northern Lights appeared for a short while. I honestly find a luxury to stay in this Kelo Glass Igloo that can stay at least 5-6 persons with a sauna, kitchen and Aurora Alarm. But through the night, it didn't sound but instead, the Aurora app that the tour manager asked us to download kept prompting. Does it feels like an Air Bnb to you? I do. Guess what? Instead of sleeping on the big cosy bed, we slept at the glass igloo that has two single beds, in case we missed any sights of Northern Lights. Lying down, you can see the sky right through the glass. But kind of cold sleeping there though. Oh ya... the sauna wasn't hot enough for us. No sweat at all, just probably hot. Not that kind of Finnish Sauna that we are looking forward to. Or probably we didn't do the right way. But another couple in the tour group said the same.
Entrance to our kelo at night
Glass Igloo angle
Inside the Kelo Glass Igloo
Different angle of the Kelo Glass Igloo
Sauna inside the Kelo Glass Igloo
Left our luggage in the Kelo and walked to the restaurant for dinner. Fine dining it is and not filling up the tummy, especially for the husband. Thereafter, we followed the tour manager for a walk to see the first generation of Kelo Glass Igloo. And we got lucky catching a glimpse of Northern Lights during the wallk. iPhone users, you are in advantage of taking shots of Northern Lights with your phones. Really better than my Samsung. So please take more.
First generation of Kelo Glass Igloo
I have learnt to appreciate the beauty of the sky
The following photos of the Northern Lights were captured by our tour manager using her iPhone, except for one pathetic photo coming from my Samsung. Remember the drill: set night mode and no flash to take photos or videos of the phenomenon. Not always you get the chance to see it, not even in my home country.
The best my lousy phone can take
Taken by the tour manager with iPhone
Picture perfect
The Glass Igloo hotel that we stayed for a night is part of the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort that connects to Kakslauttanen Art Gallery & Planetarium and Igloo Tower. The biggest private-owned planetarium in Northern Europe was opened in 2021. It features of a 18m-diameter dome theatre that showcases the captivating documentaries about the wonders of the Arctic region. Honestly, you can skip this place because nothing much to do here except for the observation deck at the igloo tower.
Entrance to the Igloo Tower
Exhibits inside the Igloo Tower
That igloo view that feels the same at our igloo stay
Brewery & Art Exhibition, and Planetarium from top view
When it starts to get dark again though is just noon time
I hope the next post won't be too long like this one. But if you are a subscriber to my YouTube Channel, you would have already watched some videos from the trip. Probably here I can add-on some you never see in the videos. So stay tune. Cheers!
Disclaimer: Not a sponsored post. All the above were paid by the writer.
